Page 57 of Second Chance with the Enemy CEO
“That’s not how it works,” I reply, narrowing my eyes.
“Let them duke it out. I do not care where we go,” he says, his voice low and broody.
I roll my eyes. “Regardless of whether it is childish or not, you’re doing it. Everyone participates.”
His jaw tightens. “Hazel, this is…”“You are doing it,” I interrupt, pointing at him. “End of discussion.”
Liam sighs, looking like he is trying to summon every ounce of patience he has left. “You’re annoying.”
“And you’re not the boss here,” I reply sweetly.
The guys start snickering. His jaw tightens as he stares me down, the tension crackling between us. For a second, I think he is going to ignore me completely. But then Mike pipes up, “Come on, Liam. Don’t be a buzzkill.”
“Yeah,” James adds. “What’s the harm?”
“Don’t tell me you’re scared of losing.”
Liam’s glare shifts to the others, but eventually, with a low growl, he steps forward. “Fine,” he mutters.
They all hold out their hands. “Ready? Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!”
Mike grins, holding up his paper against the rest of our rocks. “Boom. First pick.”
“Lucky,” Lucas mutters, shaking his head.
The game continues, the energy picking up as they go. James wins next with scissors, followed by Lucas, who beats Tomas with rock.
That leaves Liam and Tomas facing off for last. Tomas rolls his shoulders like he is psyching himself up for a championship match. Liam, on the other hand, just looks bored.
“Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” Tomas’s paper finally beats Liam’s rock.
“Well, look at that,” Tomas says, grinning. “You’re up last, Callahan.”
Liam doesn’t respond; he just shakes his head and mutters something under his breath as he walks back to the car.
I can’t help but smirk. “See? That was not so hard, was it?”
Liam shoots me a look that could freeze fire, but I just smile sweetly.
The game settled, and we piled into James’s car and headed off, the tension in the air slowly giving way to laughter and chatter. Despite everything, I cannot help but feel a flicker of excitement for the day ahead.
Our first stop is Mike’s pick: the Rustic Roost. The drive to the Rustic Roost is filled with a mix of banter and the occasional burst of laughter from James and Tomas, who have decided to turn the car ride into an impromptu karaoke session. And let me tell you, it is as terrible as it sounds. Tomas sounds something like a screeching cat, and James is trying to harmonize, which only makes things worse. I can’t help but laugh at the sheer absurdity.
We pull into the parking lot, and the sight of the bar makes me hesitate just for a moment. The place hasn’t changed much over the years - same faded sign, same old wooden front which has seen better days. The last time I was here, it wasn’t under the best circumstances.
Mike’s the first one out of the car, a grin plastered across his face. “Alright, y’all, welcome to the Rustic Roost!” He says, raising his arms like he has been granted the keys to the kingdom.
Tomas, however, is not impressed. “Of all the places to pick, Mike, you chose the bar? Really?”
Mike shrugs, unfazed. “It is my favorite place. Great vibes, good beer, old jams that take me back.” He gives a little wave toward the door, and we all file in after him. “Best vibes in town.”
“Yeah, sure,” Tomas mutters, but there is no real disdain in his voice.
As soon as we walk in, the faint smell of old wood and beer greets me, mixed with the sound of familiar tunes from the jukebox in the corner. The vibe hits me immediately - fun, calm, and nostalgic. There is something soothing about the place, even if the memories are bittersweet.
James and Tomas immediately head toward the back table with Liam and Lucas, and I pull out my camera. As always, I begin snapping away, letting the moments happen naturally. I do not ask them to pose; I just let them be. Their expressions, their interactions, the little things that tell the real story.
As I am moving around the table, capturing the guys in their natural chaos, the videographer steps up to Mike, who’s just returned with a round of drinks.
